Surely, seeing really is believing and is bound to generate more empathy and tangible help. And just being there helps the tens of thousands afflicted, literally in our own backyard, know they are not forgotten and it’s not business as usual elsewhere. It’s up to the media, especially, to keep showing the ongoing devastation and telling the heartbreaking stories.

Before my dinner companion made this most telling remark, the column in progress began with the televised Rockefeller Center tree lighting extravaganza and how I thought calls for Hurricane Sandy aid should have been center-staged and not occasional, relatively low-key requests. And before they performed, the featured artists could have showed some sympathy and brought attention to the massive hardship and loss in places only a few miles away.

But mostly it was showbiz as usual, with too much spectacular background décor. The magnificent tree is all we need, and indeed less is more when it comes to its lighting. As always, I wished the performers had asked the adoring crowd there to sing along, but with fewer ho-ho-ho songs and no “can’t live without you” lyrics. Include family, close friends and good neighbors in the lyrics of the wildly popular “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” And “a home” is what tens of thousands in the tri-state area now most desperately need.

On a closing note, the Park Avenue memorial trees are the most meaningful and serenely lovely of all the city’s December traditions. Once again, this parade of illuminated fir trees are in hallowed memory of those who gave their lives in this nation’s wars. This blessed tradition was started in 1945 by several Manhattan mothers whose sons perished in that war, which so tragically was only a taste of more to come. As the holiday season hits full swing, don’t forget that above all, we must pray and work to prevent this most awful of all human-made disasters!
Dewingbetter@aol.com

Witnessing the destruction of the beachfront community Breezy Point, Loyola School teacher and moderator of the Outdoor Club Tom Hanley realized that the community needed help.

The group had a hike scheduled for Nov. 11, but Hanley along with the other members decided to go to the Rockaways and help with the cleanup instead. The Loyola School, 980 Park Ave., offered to pay for the transportation of students, and as word spread, more people became interested in helping.

When the time came, 48 students and seven teachers went to Breezy Point to assist in the recovery. Working with Habitat for Humanity, the students removed furniture, tore down defective walls and removed the soggy insulation. While they were there, they also helped distribute food and water to area residents.

“Many of the houses had three to four feet of water in the first floor,” Hanley said.
He explained that they are considering going back, because the students want to continue to lend a hand. “There is so much to be done,” Hanley said. “It is an ongoing project; it will be a while to bring everything to normal.”

Students at the Loyola School are familiar with community service; Hanley noted that many of them volunteer in soup kitchens and nursing homes throughout the city.